Ladder



May 11, 1943. M. C(HOLMES LADDER Filed May 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet lMalvin CHomnes I INVILNTOK BY M. C. HOLMES,

LADDER Filed May 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mnvin C HOLIIIES INVLNTOKArrosznexs Patented May 11, 1943 U iTED STATES ATENT OFFICE LADDERMelvin C. Holmes, Cleveland, Ohio Application May 17, 1940, Serial No.335,853

20 Claims.

This invention relates to ladders of the sectional foldable andextensible type, and more particularly to fire escapes of this type, andthe principal object of the invention is to provide improved ladders andfire escapes of these types.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, I have shown, forpurposes of illustration, several fire escapes embodying the invention,and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a fire escape embodying theinvention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the fire escape shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of alocked pivoted joint between corresponding side pieces of adjacentsections, as used in the fire escape shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is an elevation looking toward the right side of the partsshown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an elevation, looking toward the left side of the partsshown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a fire escape such as shown in Figure 1,folded;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view, similar to Figure 3, but with the jointunlocked and the side pieces in folded position;

Figure 9 is an elevation looking toward the right side of the part shownin Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a joint such as shown inFigures 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9, with the parts in a position intermediatefully folded and fully unfolded, locked position;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of the upper portion ofanother embodiment of the fire escape;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary front elevation of the fire escape shown inFigure 11; and

Figure 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of a detail of anotherembodiment.

The fire escape herein illustrated comprises a plurality of laddersections a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20c all of which appear in Figure '7whereas only the sections 20a, 20b and part of the section 200 are shownin Figures 1 and 2. The number of sections may be any other desired andsuitable number. Each section comprises metal side pieces 2 I 22 thesereference numerals being provided with letter sufiiX'es corresponding tothe letter sufiixes of the section-designatingnumeral 20, that is, theside pieces Ha, Ha con- 28, as viewed in Figure 3.

stitute part of section 20a, the side pieces Zlb, 22b constitute part ofsection 2011-, and so on. Each ladder section desirably includestwosuitably braced rungs 23a, 24a, etc, constructed of metal, riveted orotherwise suitably fastened to the respective side pieces. The sidepieces, rungs, and other portions of the fire escape are here shown asmade from fiat strip metal, but any other suitable shape may be used.

The section 200, is pivotally connected to the section 20b by joints 25,joining corresponding side pieces. Referring now more particularly toFigures 3, 4, and 5, the joint 25 between the side pieces 22a and 22b isthere shown enlarged, the parts being in locked position as in Figures 1and 2 as will more fully appear. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3 theprincipal portions of the side pieces 22a and 2% are straight in sideelevation and have their general longitudinal axes in alignment. Theside piece 22b has a straight end portion 26 overlapping and in registrywith a straight portion 21 of the side piece 22a. The straight endportion 26 merges with an arcuate offset portion 28 which in turn mergeswith the principal straight portion 29 of the side piece 22b. Thestraight portion 21 of the side piece 220. continues downwardly, asviewed in Figure 3, until it merges with an arcuate offset portion 30similar to and underneath the arcuate portion As here shown the arcuateportion 30 extends to substantially the straight portion 29.

The overlapping, registering arcuate portions 28, 30 are providedintermediate their ends with registering apertures through which isdisposed the shank of a pivot pin 3!, the shank being peened over awasher 32.

In the position of the parts shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the sidepieces 22a, 22b are locked against relative rotation about the pivot pin3| by a U-shaped member 33 which embraces the overlapping portions 26,2! of the side pieces 22b, 22a. The U-shaped member 33 is shownasa head40 countersunk flush with the surface of the portion 26 so that theportions 28 and 21 may be in flat engagement.

It will be evident that the legs 4|, 45 of the U-shaped member 33constitute stop members, flat surfaces of which transversely overlapopposite margins of the overlapping portions 26, 21. Thus relativerotative movement of the portions 26, 21, and hence of the side pieces22a, 221), about the pivot pin 3|, i prevented.

The locking means comprising the U-shaped member 33 is so constructedand arranged that relative movement of adjacent sections from foldedinto unfolded position automatically causes the U-shaped member toassume the looking position shown in Figures 1 through 6, as will morefully appear. To this end the U-shaped member 33 is here shown as havingone of its legs, 4|, provide a cam, the leg being so formed that thefree marginal end 42 of the leg 4| (as seen in Figure 5) extends fromapproximately the general plane of engagement 43 of the overlappingportions 26, 21, diagonally across the portion 21. The outside marginalportion of the free end of the leg 4| is desirably beveled so as toprovide a bevel surface 44. The other leg, 45, of the U-shaped member 33may have its free end 46 formed at right angles to the side margins ofthe leg 45, The length of the leg 45 is desirably greater than thegreatest length of the leg 4|.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, these figures correspond respectivelyto Figures 3 and 4 but show the parts in the position they assume whenthe side pieces 22a and 22?) are in fully folded position. It will benoted that the pivot pin 3| is so positioned that its axis is in theplane 41 defining the adjacent side margins of the side pieces 22a, 22b.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be noted that while all of the joints 25are similar, the joint 25 between the sections 20a and 20b is offsettoward the left as viewed in Figure 2, whereas the joint 25 between thesections 2% and 200 is offset toward the right, and, in general,succeedingjoints are offset in successively opposite directions, so thatthe fire escape may be folded with all of the side pieces in sidewiseengagement. Figure 7 shows the entire fire escape in fully foldedposition. It will be noted by reference to Figures 1, 2, and 7 thatsince successive pairs of adjacent sections are folded oppositely, thelooking means for the joints between successive sections are alternatelyreversely arranged, for example, the locking means for the joint betweenthe sections 20a, 20b is so arranged that the cam legs 4| are nearest anobserver viewing Figure 1, whereas in the locking means for the jointbetween sections Zfib, 200, the U-shaped member 33 is reversed, so thatthe cam legs 4| are furthest from the observer, and so on.

If desired, the overlapping portions 28, 30 of the side pieces may beoffset, from the side pieces of which they respectively are parts, inopposite directions transversely of the general plane of the principalportions of the side pieces, as may be seen in Figures 1, 4, 5, and 9,whereby the plane of engagement of the overlapping portions 28, 39coincides with the median plane of the principal portions of the sidepieces.

The sections of the fire escape may be provided with struts 48, 49, 50adapted to engage the side wall of a building, and as here shown,alternate sections beginning with the section 2511 are provided withstruts. The struts 48, 49, 50 may be fastened to the side pieces of therespective secthereto.

tions by rivets 5| or in any other suitable way. and are desirablyoffset inwardly away from the planes of the respective side pieces sothat they will readily nest with respect to the other parts when thefire escape is in folded position as shown in Figure 7.

The topmost section, a, of the fire escape includes hook members 52 hereshown as separate members, fastened in any suitable way to the sidepieces Zia, 22a. The hook members 52 are of any desirable and suitableform so that the pointed ends of the hooks may be driven into a windowsill, or otherwise engage, or span the sill structure.

The operation of the fire escape is as follows. Assuming that the fireescape is in fully folded position as shown in Figure 7 and that thesection 20a, for example, is pulled away from the remainder of thesections, the adjacent sections 20a, 20b will be caused to rotaterelatively the pivot pins 3| of the joints 25 joining these sections, sothat (considering one pair of jointed side pieces by way of example, andreferring to Figure 8) the side piece 22b will be rotated, relatively tothe side piece 22a, in a counter clockwise direction. Continued relativerotation of the side pieces will bring the diagonal beveled margin 32,44 of the leg 4| into engagement with the right hand margin of theportion 21, as viewed in Figure 8, further relative rotation causing theleg 4| to be cammed laterally away from the portion 21, against the biasof the spring 35, the U-shaped member being tilted somewhat. Eventuallythe point of the margin 42 rides across the lateral face of the portion2? and when the inside surface of the leg 4| reaches the left handmargin of the portion 21, as viewed in Figure 8, the leg 4| will snapinto the position shown in Figures 1 through 6, in which furtherrelative rotation of the side pieces is prevented by the leg 45.Relative rotation of the side pieces 22a, 22b in the reverse directionis of course prevented by the fiat inside surface of the leg 4|. Theother sections of the fire escape may be unfolded in like manner, sothat the entire fire escape will assume the unfolded, extended positionshown in Figures 1 and 2, in which the sections are rigidly lockedtogether, whereby the fire escape may be easily raised and the hooks 52brought into engagement with a window sill.

The fire escape may also be readily extended by oppositely directed pullon the end sections. It is of course obvious that the fire escape mayalso be unfolded from within a window.

The fire escape, after having been extended, can be folded only if theU-shaped members 33 are pressed against the bias of the springs farenough to permit the portions 21 to be freed for rotation relatively tothe portions 26.

Referrin now to Figures 11 and 12, there is here shown the upper portionof a fire escape provided with hook means for engaging a portion of abuilding, the hook means comprising a plurality of pair of hooks, eachpair of a different size, the construction being such that selected oneof the pairs of hooks may be utilized. The side piece 53 of the fragmentof the section shown has suitably fastened thereto a relatively smallhook 54, it being understood that the other side piece (not shown) ofthe section has a similar hook fastened An extension hook 55 is pivotedby means of a pivot pin 56 to the neck portion of the hook 54. Theextension hook 55 has a portion 51 registering with the neck portion ofthe smaller hook 54 when the parts are in the position shown in fulllines in Figures 11 and 12, and this portion 51 is provided with lockingmeans 58 similar to the locking means 33 shown in Figures 1 through 10.The upper surface of the extension hook 55 is adapted to bear againststop means 59 provided on the small hook 54 which stop means may be inthe form of a brace suitably fastened to and extending from on hook54 tothe other of that pair. The stop means 59 may be provided, if desired,either to secure greater strength if necessary or for a purpose whichwill appear. If desired, a brace 63 suitably fastened to and extendingfrom one extension hook 55 to the other of that pair may be provided.

Struts 62, similar to the struts d9, of suitable length are fastened tothe side pieces of the desired sections.

When the fire escape provided with hook means such as shown in Figures11 and 12 is in a fully folded position corresponding to Figure 7, theeX- tension hook 55 will normally be in the dotted line position shownin Figures 11 and 12. In this position the points 6! of each extensionhook 55 are adapted respectively to frictionally engage the insidesurface of the respective side pieces The resilience of the side pieces53 will serve to permit the extension hook 55 to assume the dotted lineposition and releasably hold it in that position. Accordingly, the fireescape is normally ready for use with the small hook 5. On the otherhand, if it is desired to use the extension hook55, this hook may bereadily swung out and automatically locked, by the means 58, in the fullline position shown. in Figures 11 and 12. The extension hook 55 isdesirably designed to span the entire sill structure at the base of awindow, whereas the small hook may be designed to engage the sillportion outside of an open or closed window.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12 the locking means 53 has legs 4H and 45!corresponding respectively to the legs 4! and 5 in Figures 1 through 10,but it will be evident that since the stop means 59 preventscountewclockwise rotation of the hook 55 in the full line position ofthe parts shown in Figure 11 and 12, the leg 45! may, if desired, beomitted if the stop means 59 is provided, so that the stop means 59 andthe leg 4! I together comprise the locking means.

Referring to Figure 13, there is here shown another embodiment of hookmeans comprising a relatively long hook 63 pivoted at t l to a portionof the uppermost section of the ladder, the portion being in thisinstance a member 65 corresponding to the neck portion of the hook 5 ofFigures 11 and 12, it being understood that the portion 55 is fastenedto or integral with a side piece of the ladder as in the previouslydescribed embodiments. The member 65 is, however, not formed as a hookbut has its upper end '65 terminating any desired distance from thepivot 64.

The hook 63 has a portion 61' extending from the pivot 64 in theopposite direction from the hook proper, and the portion 51 may beprovided with a locking means 63 similar to the locking means 33 shownin Figures 1 through 10, which locking means cooperates with the portion65 when the parts are in the full line position of the hook 53. In thatposition the hook 53 abuts suitable stop means 69 which may be providedon the portion 65 if desired. The stop means 69 may be a lug extendinginto the path of the hook 83 and this lug thus corresponds in functionto the stop means 59 of Figures 11 and 12.

When the hook 63 is in folded position it as sumes the position shown indotted line:- in Fig ure 13, the construction and arrangement beingdesirably such that the hook, in that position, does not extendlaterally beyond strut (not shown) similar to the struts 48, 49, El! ofthe embodiment of Figures 1 through 10. i

It will be understood that the side of the fire escape to the rear ofthe part visible in Figure 13 is identical with the side visible inFigure 13 thus providing another hook like th hook 63. The hooks mayhave extending between them and fastened thereto a brace it.

Hook means of the form shown in Figure 13 is suitable when it is desiredto provide a single, long hook adapted to span the entire sill structureat the base of a window, and at the same time permit reducing to aminimum the space occupied by the parts when the fire escape is not inuse.

It will of course be evident that a construction may be provided whichomits the hooks and struts hereinbefore described which particularlyadapt the sectional ladder for use as a fire escape. The sectionalladder may then be used as an ordinary ladder.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thateach of the illustrated embodiments of my invention provides a new andimproved ladder, and accordingly, each accomplishes the principal objectof my invention. On the other hand, it also will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that the illustrated embodiments of my invention maybe variously changed and modified, or features thereof, singly orcollectively, embodied in other combinations than those illustrated,without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing all ofthe advantages thereof, and that accordingly, the disclosure herein isillustrative only, and my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotallly joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent section having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoiT-set overlapping portions forming parts of said corresponding sidepieces respectively, the off-set portion of each side piece extendingapproximately to the straight portion of the other side piece, and apivot disposed through said off-set portions approximately mid-waybetween their ends; one'of said off-set portions having a straightextension at its end overlapping and substantially registering with astraight portion of the other of said side pieces; and means,cooperating with said extension and said registering straight portion,constructed and arranged to lock said side pieces against relativerotation about said pivot.

2. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said laddermeanscomprising a plurality of sections; pivot means so joining orrespondingside pieces of adjacent sections that a section may be swung withrespect to the adjacent section from a position in which said sectionsare folded to a position in which said sections are unfolded and inwhich portions of corresponding side pieces are in alignment and overlapeach other; and locking means for holding adjacent sections in saidunfolded position comprising stop members which in looking positiontransversely overlap opposite margins of said overlapping portions, saidlocking means being so constructed and arranged that relative movementof1said adjacent sections into said unfolded position automaticallycauses said stop member to as sume said locking position.

3. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of sections; pivot means so joining correspondingside pieces of adjacent sections that a section may be swung withrespect to the adjacent section from a position in which said sectionsare folded to a position in which said section are unfolded and in whichportions of corresponding side pieces are in alignment and overlap eachother; and locking means for holding adjacent sections in said unfoldedposition comprising stop members in a position transversely overlappingopposite margin of said overlapping portions when aligned, one of saidstop members having a cam surface adapted to engage a margin of one ofsaid overlapping portions, said locking means being so constructed andarranged that relative movement of said adjacent sections into saidunfolded position automatically causes said stop members to assume saidlocking position.

4. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of sections; pivot mean so joining correspondingside pieces of adjacent sections that a section may be swung withrespect to the adjacent section from a position in which said sectionsare folded to a position in which said sections are unfolded and inwhich portion of corresponding side pieces are in alignment and overlapeach other; and locking mean for holding adjacent sections in saidunfolded position comprising a generally U-shaped member adapted toembrace said overlapping portions when aligned, said locking means beingso constructed and arranged that relative movement of said adjacentsections into said unfolded position automatically causes said U-shapedmember to embrace said overlapping portions.

5. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of sections; pivot means so joining correspondingside pieces of adjacent sections that a section may be swung withrespect to the adjacent section from a position in which said sectionsare folded to a position in which said sections are unfolded and inwhich portions of corresponding side pieces are in alignment and overlapeach other; and locking means for holding adjacent sections in saidunfolded position comprising a member carried by and extendingtransversely of a first of said overlapping portions at a first marginthereof and adapted to engage the corresponding margin of the second ofsaid overlapping portions when aligned, said member having its free endformed so as to extend from approximately the general plane ofengagement of said overlapping portions diagonally across said second ofsaid portions and having the outer margin of said free end beveled,resilient mean constructed and arranged to bias said member into theposition in which said member is adapted to engage said second of saidOverlapping portions, and stop means, carried by said first portion at asecond margin opposite said first margin, constructed and arranged toengage the corresponding margin of said second margin.

6. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of sections; pivot means so joining correspondingI side pieces of adjacent sections that a section may be swung withrespect to the adjacent section from a position in which said sectionare folded to a position inwhich said sections are unfolded and in whichportions of corresponding side pieces are in alignment and overlap eachother; and locking means for holding adjacent sections in said unfoldedposition comprising a generally U-shaped member carried by one of saidoverlapping portions and adapted to embrace said overlapping portionswhen aligned, at least one of the legs of said member having its freeend formed so as to extend from approximately the general plane ofengagement of said overlapping portions diagonally across the other ofsaid portions and having the outer margin of said free end beveled, studmeans carried by said one of said portions and disposed through anaperture in the bight of said U-shaped member, and resilient meansconstructed and arranged to bias said bight against one of saidportions.

'7. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a. plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions oil-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoff-set overlapping portions having outside margins and inside margins,said overlapping portions forming parts of said corresponding sidepieces respectively; a pivot disposed through said overlapping portions,the axis of said pivot being approximately on a line definingcorresponding aligned margins of said straight portions; said outsidemargins and said inside margins being respectively coextensive in atleast one direction away from a plane includin the axis of said pivotand transverse to said overlapping portions a distance in said directionat least as great as the width of said straight portions; one of saidoverlapping portions having a straight extension in said directionoverlapping and substantially registering with a straight portion of theother of said side pieces; and means, cooperating with said extensionand said registering straight portion, constructed and arranged to locksaid side pieces against relative rotation about said pivot.

8. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoil-set overlapping portions of substantially the same width as andforming integral parts of said corresponding side pieces respectively; apivot disposed through said overlapping portions, the axis of said pivotbeing approximately on a line defining corresponding aligned margins ofsaid straight portions; at least one of said off-set portions extendingfrom said pivot to the straight portion of the other side piece andhaving a straight extension at its end overlapping and substantiallyregistering with a straight portion of the other side piece; and means,cooperating with said extension and said registering straight portion,constructed and arranged to lock said side pieces against rotation aboutsaid pivot.

9. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions oil-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoff-set overlapping portions forming parts of said corresponding sidepieces respectively; and a pivot disposed through said off-set portions,the axis of said pivot being approximately on a line definingcorresponding aligned margins of said straight portions; the ofi-setportion of at least one side piece extending from said pivot to thestraight portion of the other side piece and having a straight extensionat its end overlapping and substantially registering with a straightportion of said other side piece; and locking means for holding adjacentsections in said extended position comprising stop members which inlocking position transversely overlap opposite margins of said extensionand said registering straight portion, said locking means being soconstructed and arranged that relative movement of said adjacentsections into said extended position automatically causes said stopmembers to assume said locking position.

10. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportionsin the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingofi-set overlapping joint portions having outside margins and insidemargins, said overlapping joint portions forming parts of saidcorresponding side pieces respectively; a pivot disposed through saidoverlapping joint portions, the axis of said pivot being approximatelyon a line defining corresponding aligned margins of said straightportions; said outside margins and said inside margins beingrespectively coextensive in at least one direction, away from a planeincluding the axis of said pivot and transverse to said overlappingjoint portions, a distance in said direction at least as great as thewidth of said straight portions, and the distance between the axis ofsaid pivot and the junction between a joint portion and the straightportion of the side piece of which said joint portion is a part being atleast as great as the width of said straight portions.

ll. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs. said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacentsections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said princ palportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoil-set overlapping joint portions having outside margins and insidemargins, said overlapping joint portions for ing parts of saidcorresponding side pieces respectively; a pivot disposed through saidoverlapping joint portions, the axis of said pivot being approx matelyon a line defining corresponding aligned margins of said straightportions; and said outside margins and said inside margins being rspectively coextensive in at least one direction, away from a planeincluding the axis of said pivot and transverse to said overlappingjoint portions, a distance in said direction at tance in said directionbetween the axis of saidpivot and the junction between a joint portionand the straight portion of the side piece of which said joint portionis a part.

12. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoff-set overlapping joint portions having outside margins and insidemargins, said overlapping joint portions forming parts of saidcorresponding side pieces respectively; a pivot disposed through saidoverlapping joint portions, the axis of said pivot being approximatelyon a line defining corresponding aligned margins of said straightportions; said outside margins and said inside margins beingrespectively coextensive in at least one direction, away from a planeincluding the axis of said pivot and transverse to said overlappingjoint portions, a distance in said direction materially greater than thewidth of said straight portions, and the distance between the axis ofsaid pivot and the junction between a joint portion and the straightportion of the side piece of which said joint portion is a part beingmaterially greater than the width of said straight portions.

3. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoff-set overlapping joint portions having outside margins and insidemargins, said overlapping joint portions forming parts of saidcorresponding side pieces respectively; a pivot disposed through saidoverlapping joint portions, the axis of said pivot being approximatelyon a line defining corresponding aligned margins of said straightportions; and said outside margins and said inside margins beingrespectively coextensive in at least one direction, away from a planeincluding the axis of said pivot and transverse to said overlappingjoint portions, a distance in said direction materially greater than thewidth of said straight portions, said distance being approximately thedistance in said direction between the axis of said pivot and thejunction between a joint portion and the straight portion of the sidepiece of which said joint portion is a part.

14. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoff-set overlapping joint portions having outside margins and insidemargins, said overlapping joint portions forming parts of saidcorresponding side pieces respectively; a pivot disposed through saidoverlapping joint pprtions, the axis of said pivot being approximatelyon a line defining corresponding aligned margins of said straightportions; said outside margins and said inside margins beingrespectively coextensive in at least one direction away from a planeincluding the axis of said pivot and transverse to said overlappingjoint portions a distance in said direction at least as great as thewidth of said straight portions; one of said joint portions having astraight extension in said direction overlapping and substantiallyregistering with a straight portion of the other of said side pieces.

15. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoiT-set overlapping portions having outside margins and inside margins,said overlapping portions forming parts of said corresponding sidepieces respectively; a pivot disposed through said overlapping portions,the axis of said pivot being approximately on a line definingcorresponding aligned margins of said straight portions; said outsidemargins and said inside margins being respectively coextensive inopposite directions, away from a plane including the axis of said pivotand transverse to said overlapping portions, a distance in saiddirections at least as great as the width of said straight portions; andone of said joint portions having a straight extension in one of saiddirections overlapping and substantially registering with a straightportion of the other of said side pieces.

16. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; andjoint means between said principal portions oiT-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingsimilar onset overlapping joint portions of substantially the same widthas and forming integral parts of said corresponding side pieces, saidjoint portions having outer convex margins and inner concave margins,the joint portion of each side piece extending from the straight portionof the side piece of which it is a part approximately at least to thejunction between the other joint portion and the straight portion of theside piece of which said other joint portion is a part, and a pivotdisposed through said overlapping joint portions the axis of said pivotbeing approximately on a line defining corresponding aligned margins ofsaid straight portions.

17. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; andjoint means between said principal portions oii-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingsimilar offset overlapping joint portions of substantially the samewidth as and forming integral parts of said corresponding side pieces,said joint portions having outer convex margins and inner concavemargins, the joint portion of each side piece extending from thestraight portion of the side piece of which it is a part approximatelyat least to the junction between the other joint portion and thestraight portion of the side piece of which said other joint portion isa part, one of said joint portions having a straight extensionoverlapping the straight portion of the other side piece, and a pivotdisposed through said overlapping joint portions the axis of said pivotbeing approximately on a line defining corresponding aligned margins ofsaid straight portions.

18. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoff-set overlapping portions having outside margins and inside margins,said overlapping portions forming parts of said corresponding sidepieces respectively; a pivot disposed through said overlapping portions,the axis of said pivot being approximately on a line definingcorresponding aligned margins of said straight portions; said outsidemargins and said inside margins being respectively coextensive inopposite directions, away from a plane including the axis of said pivotand transverse to said overlapping portions, a distance in saiddirections at least as great as the width of said straight portions; oneof said joint portions having a straight extension in one of saiddirections overlapping and substantially registering with the straightportion of the other of said side pieces; and means, cooperating withsaid extension and said registering straight portion, constructed andarranged to lock said side pieces against relative rotation about saidpivot.

19. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder means,comprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions off-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof, said joint means comprisingoff-set overlapping portions forming parts of said corresponding sidepieces respectively; and a pivot disposed through said off-set portions,the axis of said pivot being approximately on a line definingcorresponding aligned margins of said straight portions; the oft-setportion of one of said side pieces extending from said pivotapproximately to the straight portion of the other side piece, and theoff-set portion of the other side piece extending to the straightportion of said one side piece and having a straight extension at itsend overlapping and substantially registering with the straight portionof said one side piece; and means, cooperating with said extension andsaid registering straight portion, constructed and arranged to lock saidside pieces against rotation about said pivot.

20. Ladder means comprising side pieces and rungs, said ladder meanscomprising a plurality of pivotally joined sections, corresponding sidepieces of adjacent sections having principal straight portions inlongitudinal alignment when said adjacent sections are extended; jointmeans between said principal portions oiT-set from said principalportions in the general plane thereof,

substantially registering with the straight portion of said one sidepiece; and locking means for holding adjacent sections in said extendedposition comprising stop members which in looking position transverselyoverlap opposite margins of said extension and said registering straightportion, said locking means being so constructed and arranged thatrelative movement of said adjacent sections into said extended positionautomatically causes said stop members to assume said locking position.

MELVIN C. HOLMES.

